EPA's $25.4M environmental consulting contract awarded to Tetra Tech, Inc. for Superfund site cleanup

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,357,694 ($25.4M)

Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2013-09-18

End Date: 2019-09-12

Contract Duration: 2,185 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF START IV-TO #1 REMOVAL

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60604

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $25.4 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF START IV-TO #1 REMOVAL Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 2185 days indicates a long-term commitment to environmental services. 3. Awarded as a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, potentially indicating efficient procurement. 4. The use of Time and Materials pricing may present cost control challenges if not closely managed. 5. The contract's focus on Superfund site remediation aligns with critical environmental protection goals. 6. The absence of small business set-aside suggests larger firms were primary bidders or the scope did not lend itself to set-asides.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables and performance metrics. However, the total award amount of $25.4 million over approximately six years for environmental consulting services related to Superfund sites appears within a reasonable range for such complex projects. The use of Time and Materials (T&M) pricing, while flexible, can sometimes lead to higher costs if not rigorously monitored for efficiency and necessity of hours billed. Comparing this to similar large-scale environmental remediation contracts would provide a clearer picture of value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings. The EPA's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide qualified contractors for complex environmental consulting services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential bidders, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions, thereby optimizing the use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are communities impacted by Superfund sites, receiving services aimed at environmental cleanup and restoration. The contract delivers essential environmental consulting services, likely including site assessment, risk analysis, and remediation planning. The contract is geographically focused on Illinois (IL), indicating specific regional environmental needs being addressed. The contract supports a workforce of environmental scientists, engineers, and technical specialists employed by Tetra Tech, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure if not closely managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of services rendered.
The long duration of the contract could lead to scope creep or evolving requirements that may not be fully captured in the initial award.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
The contract addresses critical environmental protection needs related to Superfund sites.
Tetra Tech, Inc. is a known entity in the environmental consulting space, potentially bringing significant expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a subset of the broader professional services industry. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise in areas such as environmental assessment, remediation, compliance, and engineering. The market size for environmental consulting is substantial, driven by regulatory requirements, corporate sustainability initiatives, and government contracts for cleanup and management of contaminated sites. This specific contract for Superfund site work is a significant undertaking within this sector, requiring deep technical knowledge and project management capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the scope and complexity of the environmental consulting services required were likely better suited for larger firms with extensive resources and specialized capabilities. Consequently, there may be limited direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless Tetra Tech, Inc. voluntarily engages them for specific tasks. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem for environmental services would be minimal for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's terms and conditions, including reporting requirements, performance standards, and payment schedules tied to milestones. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting, although detailed performance data may be less accessible. The EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Superfund Program
Environmental Remediation Services
Environmental Consulting Contracts
EPA Contract Vehicles

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data
Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $25.4 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. IGF::CT::IGF START IV-TO #1 REMOVAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TETRA TECH, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-09-18. End: 2019-09-12.

What specific Superfund sites in Illinois were addressed by this contract, and what was the nature of the environmental consulting services provided?

The provided data does not specify the exact Superfund sites in Illinois that were the focus of this contract, nor does it detail the precise nature of the environmental consulting services. However, given the contract's classification under NAICS code 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services) and its award by the EPA, it is highly probable that the services involved site investigation, feasibility studies, risk assessments, remedial design, and potentially oversight of cleanup activities at one or more contaminated sites designated under the Superfund program. These services are critical for understanding the extent of contamination and developing effective strategies for environmental restoration.

How does the $25.4 million award amount compare to other EPA environmental consulting contracts for Superfund sites in Illinois or similar states?

Comparing the $25.4 million award to other EPA environmental consulting contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal contract awards, including specific details on scope, duration, and performance outcomes. However, for large-scale environmental consulting projects related to Superfund sites, which often involve complex technical challenges and long-term remediation efforts, an award of this magnitude over a period of approximately six years (September 2013 to September 2019) is not unusual. The cost is influenced by factors such as the size and complexity of the contamination, the specific remedial technologies required, and the level of effort involved in assessment and planning. Without more granular data on comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents particularly high or low spending.

What is Tetra Tech, Inc.'s track record with the EPA, particularly concerning environmental consulting and Superfund-related projects?

Tetra Tech, Inc. is a well-established government contractor with a significant history of working with the EPA and other federal agencies on environmental projects. They are known for providing a wide range of services, including environmental engineering, consulting, remediation, and construction management. Their involvement in Superfund-related projects is extensive, often encompassing site assessment, design, and implementation of cleanup strategies. A review of federal procurement data would likely reveal numerous past awards to Tetra Tech for similar services, indicating a strong track record and established relationship with the EPA. Their experience suggests a capacity to handle complex environmental challenges.

What are the potential risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type used for this award, and how might they have been mitigated?

The primary risk associated with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, plus a fixed fee or நிர்ணயம். This structure can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if not carefully managed. Mitigation strategies employed by the EPA would likely include establishing labor hour limitations, requiring detailed progress reports, conducting thorough reviews of invoices, and potentially incorporating cost-ceiling provisions. Strong contract oversight and performance monitoring by EPA personnel are crucial to ensure that the T&M contract delivers value and remains within budget expectations.

How does the $25.4 million spending on this single contract compare to the EPA's overall budget allocation for environmental consulting services during the contract period?

To assess how this $25.4 million contract compares to the EPA's overall budget for environmental consulting, one would need to analyze the EPA's annual budget appropriations and expenditures for the relevant fiscal years (approximately 2013-2019). The EPA's budget is allocated across various programs, including the Superfund program, research, enforcement, and state/local assistance. Environmental consulting services are a significant component of the Superfund program's operational costs. While $25.4 million represents a substantial investment for a single contract, it would need to be viewed in the context of the EPA's total spending on consulting and remediation services nationwide during that period to determine its relative proportion.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 S WACKER DR STE 3700, CHICAGO, IL, 60606

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,797,417

Exercised Options: $25,797,417

Current Obligation: $25,357,694

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: EPS51301

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline